ORMOC CITY, Leyte — The central government opened on Friday the country’s 37th Malasakit Center at Ormoc District Hospital to extend medical assistance to the underprivileged.
Senator Christopher Lawrence Go led the launching of the facility, more than a year after the first Malasakit Center was launched in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City in February 2018.
“I know how hard it is to get sick nowadays. That is why improving our medical services throughout the country is my priority,” Go said.
Malasakit Center is a program of the Duterte Administration to establish one-stop shops in hospitals to hasten the delivery of free medical services to indigent patients.
Under the program, indigent patients are assisted in availing medical services and financial assistance provided by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Amusement and Games Corporation, Department of Health, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Assistance comes in the form of a guarantee letter. Patients can avail of up to PHP50,000 in medical assistance. The amount varies depending on the result of an assessment by a government social worker.
“Patients use Malasakit Unified Form inside the center for all agencies to avoid redundancy of filling up the same information all over again,” Go said.
Vice Governor Carlo Loreto, who was present in the inauguration, said this project is very helpful especially to those in need.
“I just hope that all district hospital in Leyte, such as Baybay District hospital, Hilongos district Hospital, and Leyte Provincial hospital will have its Malasakit Centers too,” Loreto said. (lizbeth ann abella/PNA)
